The Rangers began practicing for their series with the Washington Capitals today, with a double session, the second part of which was spent on special teams.

Derek Dorsett (broken clavicle) has not yet been cleared for full contact, and Marc Staal (eye) said he is holding out hope that he can return at some point in the series. Ryane Clowe (probable concussion) and Brian Boyle (knee) did not practice, but the Rangers are hopeful that any or all of their injured players could return during the series.

Unless the rangers go deep I don’t think you will see Staal play this year and the same for Clowe. There is no doubt Clowe has a concussion. Apparently he hit Sanguinetti’s elbow, not sure why that wasn’t a penalty or a review from shanigans but than again it appears the rules are different when it happens to a ranger player.

Gravy,
it depends on the severity of the concussion and the individual. There is a possibility Clowe will be back in this series but the way this season has gone I’m not confident Clowe will be back in time to play in this series. Time will tell, see what happens.

Carp, the current audio technical difficulties aside, what is the status of getting iDevice friendly audio clips?

We were promised this prior to the blog redesign, so I bit my tongue and swallowed hard through all of the rotten design changes (especially on the mobile site). But I need the audio to be changed. Please.

Also, can we move the post scrolling buttons down to below the comments instead of at the top?

agree, unfortunately Sauer’s career is done. Sauer would have been back by now if it wasn’t a severe concussion. I feel even if Sauer came back it wouldn’t take much for him to get concussed again, it’s a shame because he is what the rangers are lacking on the blue line, right handed shot, physical defensemen.

Not sure if we have Cake in a Dogs Breakfast, but it could be if its left out :)

Caps have knocked us out of the playoffs in past years, and came close to knocking us out last year. IF it wasn’t for a late high stick penalty last year they might have. Remember when Richards got a goal with 6 seconds left, and the Rangers win in OT.

Anything can happen in the NHL.

That said – I think the Rangers win more than they lose in this series.

The Caps are coming into this series with lots of swagger – deservedly so after the second half they’ve had, coinciding with the resurgence of #8.

However…

The Rangers have the decided edge in goal – they would in pretty much any series. And it seems as though they could get all of their injured players back at some time in the series. If the Caps take this opponent the least bit lightly, they could be in for a result they may not expect.

Doodie, apparently you barked and they answered. You should now have audio for your mobile device … and thanks to you I now have to go to the office to get trained on how to post the audio the new way. You owe me big-time for that last part ;)

I’ll let you know if I need you to twist any of the tech-team’s arms in the future.